Fidelity Bank Partners YEIDEP to Empower Nigerian Students

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Fidelity Bank Plc has partnered the Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalization Programme (YEIDEP) to support youth empowerment through skills development, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

The bank said the partnership is aimed at enrolling students and other young Nigerians into the Federal Government-backed initiative designed to equip them with the skills, support and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.

As part of the collaboration, the next phase of the enrolment exercise will hold at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, from July 1 to July 3, 2026.

The bank said the university had confirmed its readiness to host the exercise at its Convocation Arena for students and youths across the South-East, with more than 60,000 regular undergraduate students expected to participate.

Speaking on the partnership, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, said empowering young people remains central to the bank’s vision of building a more inclusive and prosperous society.

“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people, particularly its youths. Equipping young Nigerians with the right skills, opportunities and financial support is essential to unlocking their potential and accelerating national development,” Ede said.

He added that the bank would continue to provide young people with the tools they need to succeed through its digital banking platforms, financial literacy initiatives, youth-focused products and strategic partnerships.

Ede noted that the bank was also committed to creating pathways that would help aspiring entrepreneurs overcome challenges such as limited access to funding, mentorship and business development support.

He said the partnership with YEIDEP aligns with Fidelity Bank’s longstanding commitment to supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which remain critical drivers of economic growth and job creation in the country.

The bank urged interested youths and students to open accounts and register for the programme through its dedicated online portal.